Toilet flushing assembly



Aug. 1, 1961 J. A. GRAY TOILET FLUSHING ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets$heet 1 Filed Oct. 15, 1959 James A. Gray Fig. l

1N VEN TOR.

1961 J. A. GRAY 2,994,092

TOILET FLUSHING ASSEMBLY Filed Oct. 15, 1959 2 Sheets$heet 2 Fig. 4

Fig. 5

James A. Gray 1N VEN TOR. 5E BY na zsa United rates Patent 56 i 2,994,092 TOILET FLUSHING ASSEIVELY James A. Gray, 327 Maypole Road, Upper Darby, Pa, assignor to Alessandra Gray, Upper Darby, Pa. Filed Oct. 15, B59, Ser. No. 846,588 15 Claims. (Cl. 429) This invention relates to toilet flushers and more particularly to assemblies for flushing toilets.

Briefly, the typical embodiment of the invention which exemplifies the invention, has a tank adapted to be conveniently mounted, for instance at the back of the toilet fixture. The tank stores a supply of water which is less than that ordinarily required for a full flush of the toilet. There is a water inflow line connected with this tank near the bottom thereof and a special valve assembly registered between the toilet bowl inflow line, the discharge opening in the tank, and the water inflow line when the valve assembly is in the open position. When so adjusted water from the tank flows through the toilet bowl inflow line, and a short conductor forming a part of or at least, carried by the valve assembly, becomes directly registered with the water inflow line and with the toilet bowl inflow line. The result is that the water flowing from the tank combines with the water under pressure from the water inflow line, each supplementing the other and resulting in a smooth, quiet flushing operation.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a unique flushing assembly for a conventional toilet bowl which dispenses with the comparatively noisy, bulky and often unsatisfactorily operative flush tank, flush valve, float and other conventional mechanism ordinarily found in the more common type of domestic toilet ensembles.

A further object of the invention is to provide a direct acting toilet flushing assembly which is positive in its operation and which has comparatively few moving parts.

An important feature of the invention is the valve assembly briefly discussed previously. The valve thereof is maintained in the open position by the action of rapidly moving water flowing from the tank into the toilet bowl line. This water impinges on a surface of a vane, hydrodynamically preventing the vane from returning to the rest position until the water in the tank has been exhauted or nearly so, at which time the weight of the valve as- 1 of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a conventional toilet bowl equipped with a flushing assembly in accordance with the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 2P-2 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken longitudinally of the assembly.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 3 but showing the valve mechanism in an open position.

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary enlarged detail sectional view showing a part of the valve mechanism.

FIGURE 6 is a sectional view similar to FIGURE 5 but showing a modification wherein a notch in the bottom wall of the tank has been omitted.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing the safety valve in connection with the tank.

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view diagrammatically showing a further modification of the valve mechanism.

In the accompanying drawings there is a conventional Patented Aug". 1, 1961 toilet bowl 10 illustrated to show that a completely conventional toilet bowl may be used with assembly 12, requiring absolutely no manufacturing or alteration in the conventional toilet bowl. Toilet bowl 10 has a water inflow line or conductor 14 at the back thereof, this being standard construction.

Assembly 12 is made of a tank 16 which may be conveniently mounted, for instance directly on the upper back part of the toilet bowl 10*. The tank has a generally cylindrical side wall 18, although the configuration of the tank may be varied in accordance with design suggestions. Bottom wall 20 of the tank is preferably bolted as at 22 to the lower edge of side wall 18, and there is a gasket 24 interposed between the adjacent edges of walls 18 and 20.

Overflow tube 26 is registered with aperture 28 at the top of tank 16, and isin communication with a valve cage or case 36 containing valve element, e.g. ball 32. The perimeter of aperture 28 functions as a valve seat for float valve 34 disposed in tank 16, this functioning as a closure for the upper end of the tank to prevent water overflow therethrough and also functioning as a vent when the water level begins to lower in tank 16. Valve case has an upper port 36 therein adapted to be sealed by the buoyant ball 32 should the case 30 become partially filled with water. A screened opening 38 is in one side wall of the cage 30 and is in registry with conductor 26. Overflow or bleed line 40 is attached to the bottom of valve cage 30 and is conveniently connected for water disposal, for example by being secured to the inflow line 14 of the toilet 10'.

This inflow line need not necessarily be a separate part from the toilet bowl, although it is preferred that the inflow line be of a pipe which is screw-threaded as at 42 or otherwise joined to wall 20 in an opening 44 thereof. Valve mechanism 4 6 is disposed in the tank 16 and it functions to control port 4-8 defined by the upper open end of inflow line 14 and is operated manually by handle 49 located on the exterior of the tank 16. Handle 49 is secured to the outer end of crankshaft 50' extending into line 14 and located transversely of the longitudinal axis thereof. Bearings and seals disposed in openings in the side walls of line 14 mount the shaft 50 for oscillatory movement.

Valve element 54 which is preferably a disk having a beveled side wall 54b, is disposed on the valve seat defined by the upper open end of line 14, and it is supported by a pair of identical arms 55 and 56 (FIGUREZ) whose inner ends are in axial alignment with each other and mounted for rotation in bearings 57 and 58 mechanically secured to the top part of valve member or element S4. The outer ends of the arms 55 and 56 are mounted for oscillation in bearings 60 and 61 which are secured to the wall 20 of tank 16. Brackets 62 and 64 are pivotally mounted on the exterior of bearings 57 and 58, and they are secured to an essentially crescent shaped vane 65 upon which flowing water is adapted to react. Although crescent shape is mentioned as a possibility, it is to be clearly understood that the shape of the vane may be varied, it being preferred, though that the vane be flat.

Crankshaft Sil has a valve stem 68 pivotally connected therewith at the center of the crank throw thereof. The valve stem is equipped with a shoulder 70 (FIGURE 3) adapted to abut the bottom surface of valve member 54 when the crankshaft is rotated in a direction to open the valve mechanism 46. Valve head 72 is at the upper end of the valve stem and located at the top "water (FIGURE 3).

principles of the invention. tions and changes are readily apparent, it is not desired conventional valve 77, as in conventional practice. The discharge end of line 76 is located in tank 16 and is preferably in the form of an elbow (FIGURE 3). A water conductor, also preferably in the form of elbow 78, is mechanically secured to the bottom of valve element 54 and is of a dimension to fit within inflow line 14 (FIGURE 3). However, when the valve mecha nism is adjusted to the open position, the elbow '78 moves in an arcuate path with valve element 54 and becomes directly aligned with the elbow of line 76 (FIG- URE 4).

There is a pair of notches 80 in wall 24; and they form seats for the outer ends of arms 62 and 64- in order to assure the temporary holding of the vane 65 and consequently the valve mechanism in one position i.e. the open position (FIGURES 4 and 5). The modification of FIGURE 6 shows that the notches 80 can be omitted. The modification in FIGURE 8 shows that brackets 62 and 64 can be omitted if the valve has vane 65:; directly connected thereto.

In operation it is assumed that tank 16 is filled with Upon turning handle 4% crankshaft 50 turns thereby first causing the valve head 72 to become unseated for pressure relief on the upper surface of valve member 54. Further turning of the crankshaft 50 brings shoulder 7% against the bottom surface of the valve member 54 and elevates it, causing it to move in an arcuate path of travel as constrained by arms 55 and 56.

Water is then capable of rushing from tank 16 into the toilet bowl through the toilet bowl inflow line 14. As the water rushes past vane 65 which is moved to a canted position by brackets 62 and 64 or by being directly mechanically connected to the valve member 54a (FIGURE 8), the vane is held in the canted position by the hydrostatic head of water in the tank and the hydrodynamic action of the water flowing thereagainst. Where notches 8d are used, these will assist in this function, and where they are omitted (FIGURE 6) water pressure alone is relied on.

As soon as the water starts to flow from the tank 16, ball 34 becomes unseated to vent the top of the tank. Further, the water of tank 16 is supplemented by water from line 76 inasmuch as the elbow '78 becomes directly registered with the elbow of line 76 located in tank 69 described previously.

Upon exhaustion of water or near exhaustion of water from the tank 16, the water pressure on vane 65 is relieved enabling the rush of water through connector 78, assisted by the weight of the valve mechanism 46 to return the valve mechanism to the closed position at which the valve member 54 seals the ported at the upper end of inflow line 14. Inasmuch as the tank 16 is now essentially empty, "water'under pressure from inflow line 76 can pass into the tank, filling it until the 'float valve 34 becomes seated in the port 28.

The foregoing is considered only as illustrative of the Since numerous modificatoilet flushing "assembly including a tank, a toilet bowl inflow line in registry with the lower part of the tank and adapted to operatively connect with the toilet bowl, a water inflow line connected with said tank, a valve mechanism having a valve member disposed in said tank and adapted to open and close said toilet bowl inflow line, means connected with sm'd valve mechanism for actuating said valve mechanism from a normal closed position to an open position, hydrodynamically operated means constituting a part of said valve mechanism for retaining said valve mechanism in the open position while water flows from said tank into said toilet bowl inflow line, conductive means connected with said valve mechanism and movable to a position at which said conductive means become registered with said water inflow line for the tank and with said toilet bowl inflow line to supplement the water flowing from said tank with water from an external supply of water under pressure and to retain said valve mechanism in said closed position.

2. A toilet flushing assembly for a toilet bowl, said toilet flushing assembly including a tank, a toilet bowl inflow line in registry with the lower part of the tank and adapted to operatively connect with the toilet bowl, a Water inflow line connected with said tank, a valve mechanism having a valve member disposed in said tank and adapted to open and close said toilet bowl inflow line, means connected with said valve mechanism for actuating said valve mechanism from a normal closed position to an open position, and hydrodynamically operated means constituting a part of said valve mechanism for retaining said valve mechanism in the open position while water flows from said tank into said toilet bowl inflow line, said means for actuating said valve mechanism including a pressure relief valve in said valve member which is first opened to relieve a partial pressure from said valve member and then forms a direct mechanical connection with said valve member to move said valve member.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means for actuating said valve mechanism includes a pressure relief valve in said valve member which is first opened to relieve a partial pressure from said valve member and then forms a direct mechanical connection with said valve member to move said valve member.

4. A toilet flushing assembly for a toilet bowl, said toilet flushing assembly including a tank, a toilet bowl inflow line in registry with the lower part of the tank and adapted to operatively connect with the toilet bowl, a water inflow line connected with said tank, a valve mechanism having a valve member disposed in said tank and adapted to open and close said toilet bowl inflow line, means connected with said valve mechanism for actuating said valve mechanism from a normal closed position to an open position, hydrodynamically operated means constituting a part of said valve mechanism for retaining said valve mechanism in the open position while water flows from said tank into said toilet bowl inflow line, conductive means connected with said valve mechanism and movable to a position at which said conductive means become registered with said water inflow line for the tank and with said toilet bowl inflow line to supplement the water flowing from said tank with water from an external supply of water under pressure, said hydrodynamic means including a vane having a surface against which water flowing from the tank reacts to maintain said valve member in the open position until the hydrodynamic pressure is attenuated.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said means for actuating said valve mechanism includes a pressure relief valve in said valve member which is first opened to relieve a partial pressure from said valve member and then forms a direct mechanical connection with said valve member to move said valve member..

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein there is an air inlet port connected with said tank, and a float valve located insaid tank and operable to close said air inlet port. i p

.7. The combination of claim 6 wherein there is an overflow containing a safety valve and operatively connected with the last mentioned port.

8. A.-toilet flushing assembly for a toilet bowl, said assembly including a tank within which to hold a supply of water, said tank having a wall provided with an opening, an outflow port defined by said opening, a valve mechanism having a valve member arranged to control said port by opening and closing said port, means for mechanically moving said valve member from the closed position to the open position, pressure actuated means for holding said valve member in the open position while the water in the tank flows through said port, and enabling said valve member to return to the port closing position upon exhaustion of water in said tank, and means of a water conductive nature connected with said mechanism and adapted to be registered with an external source of water under pressure for directing water under pressure from the external source through said port to supplement the water from the tank which passes through said port.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wehrein said means of a mechanical nature include a Water conductor secured to said valve member.

10. A toilet flushing assembly for a toilet bowl, said assembly including a tank within which to hold a supply of water, said tank having a Wall provided with an opening, an out flow port defined by said opening, a valve mechanism having a valve member arranged to control said port by opening and closing said port, means for mechanically moving said valve member from the closed position to the open position, pressure actuated means for holding said valve member in the open position while the water in the tank flows through said port, and enabling said valve member to return to the port closing position upon exhaustion of water in said tank, and means of a water conductive nature connected with said mechanism and adapted to be registered with an external source of water under pressure for directing water under pressure from the external source through said port to supplement the water from the tank which passes through said port, said means for moving said valve member including a relief valve in said valve member.

11. A toilet flushing assembly for a toilet bowl, said assembly including a tank within which to hold a supply of water, said tank having a wall provided with an opening, an out flow port defined by said opening, a valve mechanism having a valve member arranged to control said port by opening and closing said port, means for mechanically moving said valve member from the closed position to the open position, pressure actuated means for holding said valve member in the open position while the water in the tank flows through said port, and enabling said valve member to return to the port closing position upon exhaustion of water in said tank, and means of a water conductive nature connected with said mechanism and adapted to be registered with an external source of water under pressure for directing water under pressure from the external source through said port to supplement the water from the tank which passes through said port, said means for moving said valve member including a relief valve in said valve member, said relief valve having a head and a valve stem, said valve stem equipped with a shoulder adapted to bear against a portion of said valve member to mechanically elevate said valve member, said valve member having a port controlled by said head and adapted to be first opened when said relief valve is actuated after which said shoulder abuts said valve member to move said valve member.

12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein there are a pair of arms pivotally connected with said valve member and also pivotally connected with said tank wall for constraining the movement of said valve member to arcuate movement.

13. The assembly of claim 11 wherein there is a vent port connected withsaid tank, and a float valve in said tank to control said port.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein there is an overflow line connected with said port.

15. A toilet flushing assembly for a toilet bowl, said assembly including a tank within which to hold a supply of water, said tank having a wall provided with an opening, an out flow port defined by said opening, a valve mechanism having a valve member arranged to control said port by opening and closing said port, means for mechanically moving said valve member from the closed position to the open position, pressure actuated means for holding said valve member in the open position while the water in the tank flows through said port, from said tank, and water conducting means registered with a source of water under pressure when said valve member is open for reaction on said valve mechanism as the water from the tank is flowing through said outflow port to at least aid in returning said valve mechanism to the closed position when the supply of water in said tank is approximately exhausted.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 428,278 Kelly May 20, 1890 1,319,785 Miller Oct. 28, 1919 2,444,959 Smith July 13, 1948 

